Britney Spears and Conservatorships

[WotgunShedding]

This is horrifying. She’s asking for a judge to reconsider the conservatorship and the details of how little autonomy she has is awful.

“I have an IUD in my body right now that won’t let me have a baby and my conservators won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out.”

How is this allowed?

[TedImgoingmad]

It's beyond comprehension, and utterly horrifying.

[Bumzoo]

It's dreadful. She's a prisoner.

[damndorothea]

Surely this goes against human rights? How is this lawful? Poor woman

[WotgunShedding]

Britney Spears alleged that she has been subjected to numerous psychiatric evaluations and medications, and that she has been traumatized by her father through his control. She told the court that she didn't speak up publicly because she felt like no one would believe her.

"I haven’t been back to court in a long time because I don’t feel like I was heard on any level," she told the court in her address.

Her testimony detailed a number of frustrations that she is unable to go forward with her own desires, such as taking a break from work, getting married, or having more children.

"After I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK and I’m happy ... I'm not OK, I'm not happy, I can't sleep," she said.

Britney Spears also said she was not aware that she could ever request to end the conservatorship.

“I haven’t done anything in the world to deserve this treatment. It’s not OK to force me to do anything I don’t want to do,” she said.

[CoffeeRunner]

I really don't understand how this is being allowed to happen.

Taking temporary control of her business & financial affairs IF she lacked capacity to do so herself is one thing - but this all sounds unbelievable.

[Aquamarine1029]

Conservatorships in the US are quite difficult to get, and equally as difficult to keep in place. I'm thinking that Britney must have extremely serious mental health issues that require this level of monitoring, at least I hope it's absolutely required because it is simply awful. Her life is a prison.

[WotgunShedding]

While an attorney for Montgomery, Lauriann Wright, asked that Spears’ privacy and her children’s privacy be protected and anything that implicates those rights be private, Spears interrupted and insisted it all be public.

“They’ve done a good job at exploiting my life,” Spears said. “So I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen to what I have to say.”

When it was her turn to talk, she quickly read from a prepared statement — so quickly that Penny had to ask her to slow down for the court reporter’s sake.

“A lot has happened since two years ago, the last time I was in court,” Spears said. “I don’t think I was heard on any level when I came to court last time.”

She then continued to detail that she was forced to do a 2018 tour, and forced to change her medication, among a long list of other grievances she said made her feel like a slave. “Not only did my family not do a goddamn thing, my dad was all for it,” said Spears.

“I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m okay and I’m happy,” Spears said, explaining that she was in denial. “If I said that enough, maybe I’d become happy. … I’m in shock. I’m traumatized. … I’m so angry it’s insane.”

“I’m scared of people. I don’t trust people with what I’ve been through,” says Spears of the idea of seeing another psychiatric specialist. “It’s not okay to force me to do anything I don’t want to do. … I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive. I don’t feel like I can live a full life.”

[MouseyTheVampireSlayer]

The difficult thing is she does seem very vulnerable and incapable of making sound choices.
The sad thing is that,in truth, no one loves her enough to act in her best interest. From Justin Timberlake onwards, everyone in Britney's life, including her own family have used her for their own gain. It's not too far from prostitution if you look at the effect it's had on her body and mind.
Truly, I think the only people able to save her from that hell and love her enough to do it are her kids. Once they're adults I fully expect them to fight her corner.
I always remember her song 'my baby' on the blackout album. It's not a belter or clever. It felt very raw and genuine as a mother's love for her child and I hope she can escape soon so she can focus on that light in her dark existence.

[TedImgoingmad]

@Aquamarine1029

Conservatorships in the US are quite difficult to get, and equally as difficult to keep in place. I'm thinking that Britney must have extremely serious mental health issues that require this level of monitoring, at least I hope it's absolutely required because it is simply awful. Her life is a prison.

If she's so seriously mentally ill, why is she deemed capable of being a judge on American Idol, doing a residency in Vegas and going on a world tour?

[AlexaShutUp]

I cannot understand how this is permitted. If she was genuinely so unwell that she wasn't fit to make her own decisions, then her family should have got her out of the public eye and focused on making her better. Instead, they have exploited her. In any case, she does not seem like she is so unwell as to not have control over her affairs. It's shocking that someone can be controlled to that extent legally!

[Unsuremover]

Making stupid choices isn’t the test of losing all autonomy though. Assuming her kids her being looked after what business is it if anyone’s if she spends all her money on crap, doesn’t sing another note and gets fat? Even if she is on a path of self destruction (though there’s plenty of therapy) then it is her own path.

[TedImgoingmad]

The difficult thing is she does seem very vulnerable and incapable of making sound choices

She's a grown woman. She should be free to make all the unsound choices she wants to, piss all her money up a wall if she wants to, and never work again. If her children are in danger, the relevant authorities can intervene on behalf of the children. If she is putting herself or others in danger, or mentally incapacitated, again, the relevant authorities can intervene. Instead, she is in a half way house of having zero control over her life, whilst being put out to do work (seemingly against her will) that would challenge most people in the entertainment industry. It's a form of enslavement.

[dreamingbohemian]

She really was horribly unwell and vulnerable during her breakdown, she ended up hooking up with some random paparazzi guy who totally exploited her, shaving her head, who knows where it would have led. It's very hard to sit back and watch someone destroy themselves when they could be ok with treatment.

BUT this level of control over her is horrific. Her father is a monster, just like Mitch Winehouse, sucking every dollar they can. Good for her insisting on making everything public!

[UhtredRagnarson]

It makes no sense that she is apparently ill enough to require another human being to be in control of her entire life but yet not too ill to work, going on tours, appearing on TV, performing etc. All very tiring and stressful work. They simply cannot defend the need for a conservatorship and allowing her to do all that work. One of those is a lie.

[UhtredRagnarson]

Spears interrupted and insisted it all be public.

“They’ve done a good job at exploiting my life,” Spears said. “So I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen to what I have to say.”

This is someone who very desperately needs people to hear what has been going on.

[MouseyTheVampireSlayer]

I was actually thinking more along the lines of she needs someone watching over her to stop self harm or suicide. I don't agree with the conservatorship but do think she needs a friend, and sadly, as Michael Jackson's case shows, a real friend isn't really possible once you have that much fame. I think it's a shame no one seems to really see her as a human being, just a pay check, but the problem is that everyone who knows her sees her that way. My point is she has no one and that makes her situation very similar to other women in awful relationships who have nowhere to go. Her money should be a shield but it's actually what's keeping her captive. A gilded cage is still a prison.
But yes, I'd love to see her growing fat and happy. But I do think she needs professional intervention in regards to her mental health. I think she's too vulnerable to 'go it alone'. It's actually a shame she's a grown woman because a teen experiencing this would have more protection.

[UhtredRagnarson]

It is a very sad situation. She was monetised as a child and that has been her purpose to all around her ever since. That shit does irreversible damage to your self worth and ability to make healthy decisions for yourself.

[DysonSphere]

It makes no sense that she is apparently ill enough to require another human being to be in control of her entire life but yet not too ill to work, going on tours, appearing on TV, performing etc

It does if she's being forced to take her meds. I know people on my own family who have become very seriously mentally ill, and if they do not take their drugs they become entirely different people. Capable of self harm, being violent, and making erratic decisions that put themselves and others in real danger. But they seem almost well (if you don't know any better) and capable when they take them regularly.

Britney has been on her meds for so long she can't remember how low she was. A lot of people with severe MI hate taking their meds, because they do not feel in control and they do not feel like themselves and they hate the side effects and many people are inclined to stop taking them unless they are supervised closely. I suspect that was at least partly why her Father was given power of attorney.

The IUD thing sounds awful, but again, some women with severe mental.illness find the hormone surges of pregnancy make their illness worse. I knew a woman who put her own baby in the tumble dryer and killed her 2 weeks after giving birth. She wasn't taking enough meds to control the impact of the fluctuations in her hormones post birth.

I've seen the flip side of dealing with people who do not control their illness and it's incredibly hard to deal with. I do feel she's between a rock and a hard place.

I don't understand why she's been forced to continue her career however. Anyone who was a real fan before her most prominent breakdown could tell she didn't have the same passion.

[LemonSwan]

I don't think she is as vulnerable or mentally ill as people say.

She has been forced to take lithium against her wishes. She has been controlled and threatened.

She has been having therapy with a team who's been chosen by those with a financial interest in her being unwell.

Having been previously sectioned once for a psychotic episode I can imagine exactly what she has been going through.

Luckily it didn't take long for me to work out the last person I should be divulging my issues to was the person (doctor) who had control over whether I was deemed 'sane' or not. Yes thats ironic but its in no way irrational when your freedom is taken away. If anything it is an entirely rational and sane thing to do. But it is not helpful because then you cannot access help in an unbiased and open way.

I am not surprised she didn't speak out and has been terrified. That she has played along for so long for fear that saying no or disagreeing would result in more vigorous treatment or loss of freedom or access to her children.

I am not surprised she looks dishevelled with no access to any self care whilst tired, stressed, depressed and on strong drugs.

And I am not surprised she has finally snapped and stood up for herself.
After I was released from section I played along for a bit absolutely terrified they would resection me if I didn't take my meds or didn't go to follow up meetings - even though I knew these were not in my best interests. Until one day when I said forget it, I am not taking these meds, I am not going to these sessions and thats it. Do not contact me.

Thankfully I was lucky enough that I was listened to and my wishes were considered.

It took me a long time to heal from that. Not the week long episode - but the trauma, loss of freedom and control, the drugs took about 6 months. And a whole 2 years to recover my financial loss and career progression.

It was only after 4 years I feel I can even talk anonymously about it; and it still affects my life to this day. I have been denied life insurance for my mortgage just this month due to the section.

Deprivation of liberty and american conservatorships need overhauling in a serious way. I have since met two people who had been deprived of liberty for dementia when they absolutely did not have it. Thankfully one was overturned recently. The other poor lady is probably still in that same ward.

I hope she can end this conservatorship and take time to heal.

[Cailleach1]

Isn't the father slightly more problematic still? I seem to recall an article saying her children weren't able to be with her at one point if he was in the vicinity.

Am I misremembering?

[Beannag]

What makes no sense is that he is so concerned he controls every aspect of her life, yet sees her as capable of still doing music and other fame related activities. If he was so concerned he would keep her out of the limelight surely, but nope, need that money to be rolling in.

I think overall it poses a lot of questions about the control someone can be legally given over someone else, and the outcome will have big consequences for others, hopefully in a positive way.

[aibubaby]

@DysonSphere

It makes no sense that she is apparently ill enough to require another human being to be in control of her entire life but yet not too ill to work, going on tours, appearing on TV, performing etc

It does if she's being forced to take her meds. I know people on my own family who have become very seriously mentally ill, and if they do not take their drugs they become entirely different people. Capable of self harm, being violent, and making erratic decisions that put themselves and others in real danger. But they seem almost well (if you don't know any better) and capable when they take them regularly.

Britney has been on her meds for so long she can't remember how low she was. A lot of people with severe MI hate taking their meds, because they do not feel in control and they do not feel like themselves and they hate the side effects and many people are inclined to stop taking them unless they are supervised closely. I suspect that was at least partly why her Father was given power of attorney.

The IUD thing sounds awful, but again, some women with severe mental.illness find the hormone surges of pregnancy make their illness worse. I knew a woman who put her own baby in the tumble dryer and killed her 2 weeks after giving birth. She wasn't taking enough meds to control the impact of the fluctuations in her hormones post birth.

I've seen the flip side of dealing with people who do not control their illness and it's incredibly hard to deal with. I do feel she's between a rock and a hard place.

I don't understand why she's been forced to continue her career however. Anyone who was a real fan before her most prominent breakdown could tell she didn't have the same passion.

The IUD things sounds awful but

No, no but. She might be unwell but she is nowhere near incapable enough for it to be okay that her bodily autonomy isn't respected.

[StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind]

@Cailleach1

Isn't the father slightly more problematic still? I seem to recall an article saying her children weren't able to be with her at one point if he was in the vicinity.

Am I misremembering?

There was an incident I think where he argued with/was violent to her eldest son, which resulted in her losing time with them in her custody arrangement.

[Bluntness100]

I think people have to remember that it’s no secret Britney feels like this, but the conservatoire is in place for her own protection. She’s stating she doesn’t wish more evaluations, but is that in her best interests.

When someone is very ill then sectioning them for their own self protection is in their best interests, even if the person doesn’t wish it and many people are unable to ever function properly. Britney is also at more of a risk than others, becayse she’s a target for thos who will exploit her.

People need to stop assuming that because she doesn’t wish this that this is in her best interests for her not to have it and that without it, something very very bad might happen to her and very very quickly.

What needs to happen now is her not wanting it needs to be balanced against why it’s in place, the risks she faces and how able she is to function.

Her previous behaviour, prior to the conservatoire being in place shows that she is not taking her medication reliably, it seems she’s, amongst other things, manic depressive/BI polar, and her estate was in debt, so clearly the statements made about her being exploited due to her vulnerability will be correct, she’s also unable to look after th kids she has, would another one really be a good idea? It’s highly unlikely she’d be able to look after a new child.

Sadly when someone’s very mentally ill the fact they don’t want the level of protection they have in place, does not mean it’s the right, humane, kind, or even decent thing to do to remove it.

[mog27]

@Bluntness100 but that's the point she's not sectioned. Sectioned people don't perform in Vegas or judge on American Idol. If she's as bad as they say she needs a secure mental health hospital not a residency in a Vegas casino to keep bringing the cash in.